Page 8 of The Defense Rests
Jasper was right, I do need a better lawyer. Could a new lawyer file an extension so they have time to review my case? Scanning through the list of terms, I see that my insurance will cover the fees outlined, but my rates will increase significantly. I wasn’t paying much attention to Mr. Malloy in that meeting, and my eyes zone in on another piece of the settlement.Suspension of license to practice medicine for one year. What the fuck? He didn’t mention this line item in the meeting. Even with being distracted by Kai, I would have heard that piece. There is no way in hell I would sign this. Especially when I did nothing wrong.
Scanning down further on the page, my heart skips, and my palms sweat.
Final settlement offer.
Nothing like having my balls in a vice.
My phone buzzing in my pocket jolts me from my reverie.
Butterfly: Dinner sounds great.
My brain is a mix of emotions. The universe is giving me a second chance with Kai. The boy my soul has longed to be with ever since we parted ways. Neither of us being in a position to commit at the time. But now, having this chance to see him again and spend time with him, it’s almost like the universe is mocking us. He can’t get involved with me now. At least not until this case is over. Not to mention that he lives here, and my life, medical practice, and home are in Rockport Ridge.
The walls in the room feel suffocating, and I need to escape.
Me: Sounds great. Text me your favorite place and I’ll Uber over.
Butterfly:
Stepping into the park across the street from my hotel to get some fresh air, I’m grateful for early spring and the cool temperatures. Flowers are starting to bloom, and the bare branches of the trees are speckled in green buds–another month and they will be sprouting new leaves.
Sitting on a park bench, I close my eyes and feel the cool breeze against my skin, and it feels good to relax. Images of the first time I saw Kai at the community center for an age play event cause my lips to lift at the edges. He was the sweetest boy and open to being cared for. God, we played with those dolls for hours, it seemed like. I would give anything to go back to those days.
Our relationship wasn’t a Hallmark movie, nor was it a whirlwind of passionate encounters and shared dreams. We explored the age play scene together. I was a new daddy, and he was a recent high school graduate. Neither of us was ready for more, and neither of us indicated that there was more between us than simple playtime. But that didn’t stop my heart from developing feelings for him. Kai was bright and energetic. He knew how to manipulate me into getting his way when we played, which is probably why he makes a good attorney now.
Well, that thought doesn’t sit well with me. Is Kai going to try to convince me to sign that settlement? Did he only agree to go out with me tonight so he could underhand the win for the law firm? I suddenly feel sick, and bile burns the back of my throat.
That doesn’t sound like the Kai I know. Even if things have changed over the years, he is still the same person deep down.
Note to self: Don’t discuss the case tonight.
…
“So where was your lawyer today?” Kai asks out of the blue after the waitress leaves with our drink orders, and I choke on a sip of water.
So much for not talking about the case.
“You mean the deadbeat that was assigned this case from the clinic’s legal team?” I roll my eyes and wipe my mouth with the cloth napkin. “He’s useless and can’t seem to be bothered by my emails and phone calls. It takes him forever to return a message, and he missed the meeting because he claimed his secretary put it in the calendar wrong.”
“And you think he’s lying?” Kai lifts a brow like he thinks I’m making this stuff up. I wish.
“That woman is a saint and even more OCD than I am when it comes to things like that. She would not have made that kind of simple error.” I take in a deep breath and exhale slowly. “I didn’t want to have dinner with you to talk about the case. I just wanted to catch up with you.”
“Same.” Kai starts twisting his napkin which indicates to me something is bothering him.
“But?” I question.
“I don’t know, Shaun. Something about this case isn’t sitting right with me.” He looks like he’s on edge as his eyes shift around the Italian restaurant. He leans in to whisper. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I think you need better representation. You have a shot at winning.” He leans back and looks around again to make sure nobody is listening before giving me a pointed look.
“What’s good to eat?” I ask, deflecting and changing the subject to put him more at ease. I wish I could pull him over to my lap.
“It’s all good. I love this place and eat here at least every other week.” He winks.
“Well, at least you aren’t in littlespace when you come here, or you might get a bit messy.” I wink back at him, and his cheeks blush before a sadness falls over his expression. “What’s wrong, Butterfly?” I reach out to place my hand on top of his, but pull it back before making contact.
He looks up at me with wide eyes that are glassed over. “You remember?”
“How could I forget? I wanted to reach out to you several times over the years.” I admit.
